A major factor in the increase is confusion over just what constitutes infectious waste.

Typically, doctors' offices have taken their infectious waste to hospitals for disposal.

I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing others were handling my infectious wastes.

Containers of infectious waste were found on the floor in several areas.

"People are afraid when they hear the words infectious waste."

State law does not mandate that all infectious waste "be segregated in red bags and burned."

New York law now requires that infectious waste be segregated in red bags.

While most hospitals have incinerators, they cannot handle the enormous amount of infectious waste produced.

It has also focused attention on the explosive growth in potentially infectious medical waste.